PETALING JAYA, Feb 3 — There is no immediate need to carry out health screenings at airports to monitor body temperature of those flying into the country. 

Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Jeyaindran Sinnadurai said although the need to screen arrivals would arise at some point, it was unwarranted at the moment.

“I don’t think it would make sense to implement it now. This would be going overboard and instilling fear in people,” he said in response to a Malay Mail query about the government’s plans to counter the possible spread of Zika virus.

“Even now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is just giving a cursory warning to people,” said Dr Jeyaindran, adding the government would decide today on measures to be taken after the health minister briefed the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) public relations general manager Nik Anis Nik Zakaria said the decision to conduct health screening was the ministry's.

“If screening is required, the Ministry will carry it out and position all the necessary equipment,” she said.

Nik Anis said the ministry had not raised the issue with MAHB. However, as health screenings had been carried out in airports, MAHB was prepared to assist in the screening if the needs arose, she added.